Hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee - Russia on the Eve of National Elections

Interview

Hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee - Russia on the Eve of National Elections

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REP. JOE WILSON (R-SC): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and ambassador, doctor, thank you for being here today. And I appreciate the overall tone, because I'm very hopeful of the relationship between the United States and Russia.

It appears to me that we have common interests of growing economies with common free markets. We have a common enemy, as Mr. Sherman has identified, of Islamo-fascist terrorists, and I'm really hopeful that whatever differences we have that we can work them out.

And then, I want to share with Congressman Scott. In my visits to Russia, I've been very impressed by the culture of Russia, the architecture, the art, the literature, which has had such a profound impact on the American culture.

Additionally, I'm very grateful that my home community of Columbia, South Carolina, has a sister city relationship with Chelyabinsk, Russia in Western Siberia. And we are encouraging exchanges of citizens from there into South Carolina and back and forth. It's just been a great experience.

Additionally, I have been working with civic clubs, in particular, the Rotary Club. There are now over 100 Rotary Clubs in Russia. And in fact, last year, Russia has its own district, so we are very hopeful that Western business people from around the world can network and the people of Russia can network through Rotary International.

With all of that, I share the concern about Iran. It just doesn't make sense to me that the threat that we have for Russia is that a bomb could be delivered by truck. It doesn't take a missile, and it could be so deadly. So I'm really hopeful that indeed we'll have a convergence there.

But the other question is about the missile defense system. I just can't fathom. Particularly over the weekend, it was reported that President Putin had equated the defense system that we are proposing in Poland and the Czech Republic to the placement of missiles in Cuba in 1962.

I can't imagine a more incongruous and not at all similar comparison. And so I'd like comments from both of you about the missile defense system. Why the concern, when it really should be beneficial for Russia too?

REP. LANTOS: We will begin with Dr. Piontkovsky.

DR. PIONTKOVSKY: Yes, of course, their ABM traits, American ABM system is a very questionable issue here, and I know that it is debated in the counties. But -- and there is arguments both for and against.

But certainly, a comparison to this situation, current situation, as described is beyond any proportion. And as a proof to my point, it's unfortunately as the policy of our leader is driven often by American obsession -- anti-American obsession or desire to create for the public the image of Russia encircled by enemy.

But beside it, I talk with our military about it. They are very brilliant men, and they say of course this 10 interceptors and one radar doesn't present any threat to huge Russian deterrent. But we don't know about (future ?) American plans, how many interceptors, how that system they are planning to develop. They want transparent and predictability. This was the essence of arms control between Soviet Union and -- and I have a suggestion, a practical suggestion to get out of this situation.

In 2009, our START I Treaty expires. And Moscow is eager to expand it and to make a new treaty. I would suggest to American side to present -- to offer Russia a new treaty bills on offensive and defensive weapon. The treaty, which would limit both number of our offensive weapons and at the same time allow each side to have some limited number of antiballistic interceptors.

This treaty would first guarantee both of us mutual deterrence and second would allow the United States and Russia, if it wish, to develop antiballistic systems against rogue states. This approach would be able to turn this irritant in solution encouraging relationship of trust between our countries

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